@jessamyn

Not wanting to live because of chronic, unrelenting pain is understandable. It's no fun for family members or caregivers, but it's a reality. Except for a brief period when I was 39 and working in a very stressful, dysfunctional environment, I was never a worrier. My father raised us to look for the good in every person and situation. I enjoyed my work.

Now I have days when I pray that God will let me leave this world and wake up in heaven, free of pain and depression. I'm thankful that I'm in a much better place than I was in the early years of 2000. I know that I made life difficult for my wife and kids. I keep the thoughts about heaven to myself. I can understand how distressing it is to hear that someone you care for doesn't want to live.

Have you ever been in a support group that addresses ways to cope with stressors like that? Or talked about it with a counselor? It's good to know that you participate in the groups you mentioned. Keep on doing the things that strengthen you.

Jim